First time at Poole

wxmrich · 13 May 2013, 22:55

Hello chaps

I'll be taking my SIB down to Poole harbour for the first time this weekend. I know this is a popular area and was hoping some advice could be offered regarding a couple of things on my mind:

- It's shallow, do I need to keep away from anywhere? Do I need to watch out at lower tide times or is it still mainly accessible?

- islands, are there any I can land on, like Brownsea for instance?

- outside of the harbour, if its calm would it be safe for a quick dash towards old Harry or down towards Bournemouth pier? Are there any hidden rocks etc as i don't have a chart of the area.

I was planning on launching at Baiter which I've heard is good for SIBs. First time on the sea with my 18hp 2stroke Tohatsu so quite excited!

Tim M · 13 May 2013, 23:02

Quote:

Originally Posted by wxmrich

Are there any hidden rocks etc as i don't have a chart of the area.

I'd invest a few quid and get one

wiLlfish · 13 May 2013, 23:15

Quote:

Originally Posted by wxmrich

Hello chaps

I'll be taking my SIB down to Poole harbour for the first time this weekend. I know this is a popular area and was hoping some advice could be offered regarding a couple of things on my mind:

- It's shallow, do I need to keep away from anywhere? Do I need to watch out at lower tide times or is it still mainly accessible?

- islands, are there any I can land on, like Brownsea for instance?

- outside of the harbour, if its calm would it be safe for a quick dash towards old Harry or down towards Bournemouth pier? Are there any hidden rocks etc as i don't have a chart of the area.

I was planning on launching at Baiter which I've heard is good for SIBs. First time on the sea with my 18hp 2stroke Tohatsu so quite excited!

I luv dis powst

Duz dis geyzer nead educatin orr legislatin

Az hee gott a kilcawd

Wott arr de ods onn im sirvivin de weakend

Shal wee av a pol

I rekon de chayn fery wil gett im

Nos4r2 · 13 May 2013, 23:18

I would too. There's a chain ferry that won't give way to you,a sand bar (Hook Sands) just outside the harbour, a long line of rocks (marked by poles)called the Training Bank as well, and a big sand bar just inside the harbour mouth.

Various areas of the harbour are very very shallow at low water as well. Plus hordes of yachts/powerboats that'll seem to be trying to run you down. Poole will feel daunting.

And yes wiLlfie, I was thinking that too. Someone more eloquent can tell him...

Ian_st · 13 May 2013, 23:25

Could always try Christcurch, half hr away, if bad weather a sheltered river and if fine sea is easily accessible, but speed limits prevent blasting about.

wxmrich · 13 May 2013, 23:32

I'm aware of the chain ferry and other large boats as I've been a tourist at Brownsea and a tourist in the area in general many times.

This will be the first time I've used my own boat though.

Yes I do have a killcord, flares, life jackets etc.

wiLlfish · 13 May 2013, 23:37

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nos4r2

And yes wiLlfie, I was thinking that too. Someone more eloquent can tell him...

Yew avunt anserd de kwestiun yew nobend

Duz hee nead educatin orr legislatin

Nos4r2 · 13 May 2013, 23:38

I'm not kidding when I say Poole can be very scary. Most of the harbour is a 10 knot limit,but behind Brownsea (or pretty much anywhere with heath land on the shore) is a 6 knot limit.It IS enforced. If you're going into the 6 knot limits and go aground, don't get out of the boat or you may sink without trace. The mud is dangerous-it has springs running under it and can suck you down.

Look up the bridge lifting times and avoid them going both in and out. It'll mean you're not caught up in the suicidal rush of nobburs from Cobbs Quay.

If you haven't done it, you REALLY should take the PB2 before you go out on the sea.

Nos4r2 · 13 May 2013, 23:42

Quote:

Originally Posted by wiLlfish

Yew avunt anserd de kwestiun yew nobend

Duz hee nead educatin orr legislatin

educatin yew nobbur. noww gett de styll owt fromm mi ballsitic ann porr mee sum bewz.

whisper · 13 May 2013, 23:42

A VHF and handheld gps would be good.

If you go you need to remember where the slip is so look at the landmarks when leaving the slip. Sounds silly but you'll see what I mean on the way back

cgf10 · 14 May 2013, 07:35

I think if you look at a chart first you'll see the channels are quite obviously marked out. Landing at the western end of Brownsea is popular at the Pottery Pier end where there is a small beach or along the south side where there is also a nice beach if you approach from the direction of Poole Quay you often find a few boats moored around the old pier. If you can get hold of a gps it will make everything easy, check the tides against the chart for depths etc and you'll have access to lots of places in a sib. The south side of Brownsea is the quiet area with a 6 knot limit and a channel you can loop around. I assume you'll launch at Baiter Park so it's a short scoot across to Brownsea and once there you'll be away from the big traffic

boristhebold · 14 May 2013, 08:58

There are some shallow areas and also speed limits in some areas vary, I would recomend you pick up a chart and have a good study of it before you go. Launching at Baiter should be OK. There is a double tide at Poole so tide table would be useful. The tide can run rather fast through the entrance to the harbour plus lots of commercial traffic. Pop into a chandlers on the way and pick up the chart and the poole harbour guide which will be useful.

A nice trip within the harbour would be to go round brownsea island clockwise and then on up the wareham channel and into the river to wareham for fish and chips, depending upon tides and depth.

Have fun.

cptsideways · 14 May 2013, 09:05

Watch the Baiter slip at very low tide it has a lip that catches a few out. You'll be on springs this weekend, the currents can be fast on lows in & around the Brownsea channels. I didnt think you're allowed to land on Brownsea as its a conservation area.

Keep to the channels in & out of the harbour, its is really shallow in a lot of places especially if you don't know it. I can vouch for the mud, spent many times stuck in it windsurfing

I would avoid the spring lows if I were you especially if touring the harbour.

Might be worth a trip to the pub at Wareham, a trip up the river is quite nice, its a couple of miles upstream.

wxmrich · 14 May 2013, 09:07

Thanks for the advice guys. Can anyone post up the name/postcode of a good chandler?

My girlfriend has done PB2 and another RNLI sea safety course as part of her job so we will have that knowledge to help us.

Chart wise, a quick search has brought up a chart numbered 2300.5 (Poole harbour) looks like a marine ordinance survey kind of thing. Is this what I should be after?

m chappelow · 14 May 2013, 09:14

At least you have the sense to ask about the local conditions ect
Just make sure you have enough fuel onboard for the day & a waterproof coat .

Steve_B · 14 May 2013, 09:18

Piplers on Poole Quay will have all the charts, tables and other docs you need.

Pop in to the Marina office on the Quay and pick up a free Poole Harbour guide

Take it easy and have a good time

Steve

Nos4r2 · 14 May 2013, 09:32

If that's Imray chart 2300.5, you'd probably be better off with Admiralty chart 2175 (small craft Poole bay), though it doesn't show up river to Wareham.

Exe treme · 14 May 2013, 10:01

Hi

As other posts have suggested, a chart is a must for Poole Harbour. There are so many narrow channels, sand bars and shallow areas with deep mud that your trip would be less enjoyable, and more risky, without one.

Also consider viewing the Poole Harbour Commissioners Website for up-to-date harbour news for boaters. There are also some very useful guides, including an overview map that shows speed restrictions and no go areas. It isn't a replacement for a chart though. www.phc.co.uk

Depending on the length of your boat, you might have to pay harbour fees to phc. Again, this is all detailed on their Website.

Enjoy your weekend

PeterM · 14 May 2013, 12:38

Blimey - its being made out to sound like a lethal death trap ....

I can meet you at Baiter and give some guidance if you want ..but honestly its a great place for sibbing.

Exe treme · 14 May 2013, 12:53

I agree it is a great place for sibbing. I think its an even better place for sibbing when you are aware of the risks. Those risks being of running aground and turning a great day into a bad one, especially for a 1st timer. Don' recall mentioning a risk of death ;-)